No Ordinary Journey

When we learn of the life conditions of disadvantaged people we often ask ourselves “why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?” Knowing that conditions for children with disabilities can be dismal in less developed countries, we hoped that by volunteering we could bring a little sunshine into their lives and help lighten the load of the teachers/caregivers for a few days. What we discovered is that someone is doing something about it in Vietnam.

Dr. Nguyen Viet Nhan (Dr. Nhan) is a leader in the development of programs for kids with disabilities in Vietnam. He is the founder and head of the Office of Genetic Counseling and Disabled Children (OGCDC) in Hue, VN. The OGCDC works collaboratively with several other programs in and around Hue. We visited five of these programs.

We asked Dr. Nhan about the government’s role with his program. He explained that the government does what it can but it does not have the financial resources to fund his program. Relying on donations creates big problems for Dr. Nhan in retaining staff and in the continuity of programming. Dr. Nhan is hopeful that one day the government will be able to fund his program but in the meantime “the children can not wait”.

Just as Dr. Nhan is doing something, our family wanted to do something to help disabled children in Vietnam as well. OGCDC programs are based upon giving children and families the skills they need to live their lives to the fullest and be as independent as possible. By supporting OGCDC we will be helping the Vietnamese people help themselves. Instead of buying Christmas presents in 2008, our family donated $200 to OGCDC. We invited others to contribute as well and in total we raised $970; 100% of which was sent to Dr. Nhan at OGCDC.

If you would like further information please about the OGCDCD please see their website at www.OGCDC.org or email us at NoOrdinaryJourney@shaw.ca. Check out the pictures below of kids who are in OGCDC programs.